Rather school than leisure? – All-day schools for equal opportunity

All-day school as a modern concept is not to be mistaken as a classic schooling system simply prolonged by after-school care club. Instead education and leisure are combined and intertwined, so that ideal learning conditions are established. Sportive and cultural activities become an integral part of school life while intensive class, supported (but independent) work and recreational time alternate. This way school adapts to the children’s biological rhythm which makes them attain higher achievements more easily. The success spurs motivation and curtails cases of dropout or angst.

High quality implementation is, however, crucial for ensuring the model’s payoff, be it concerning the lessons, the programme of leisure activities, catering, care or infrastructure. Also, every child’s nature has to be taken into account so that the lively as well as the quiet ones feel comfortable and are enabled to aim high. Therefore, places and equipment for action and fun are needed just like quiet spaces for reading, playing and retreat.

Successfully conducted all-day schooling does not only prove advantageous for individual students but potentially serves society as a whole: Due to the reduced necessary involvement of parents the inheritance of educational standards is reduced. Children are hence given equal opportunities for creating a future of their own.

The model can even help minimize problems of culturally diverse classrooms. Within the setting of continuous attendance and common spare time activities migrant children are integrated in a more comprehensive way and compensate their disadvantages more easily. Additionally, interaction and cooperation train intercultural skills as well as soft skills altogether.

Moreover, parents can benefit just as much as their children from all-day schooling because the pressure to quit work early on during the day and to perform follow-up educational work is lifted from their shoulders. Especially women’s pursuit of career is facilitated as it is easier for them to escape the traditional role of being mother and wife only.

However, school shall not replace family life and autonomous leisure time in any way. It is rather that the presented type of all-day school enables families to spent the time they have together in a truly free and less troubled manner. This educational model thus presents a positive impetus for family as well as society.

Author: Andrea Ruscher